Valencia Delights Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375.
• In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg; blend well.
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and orange peel.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten with bottom of glass dipped in sugar to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
• Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.
• In small saucepan over low heat, combine glaze ingredients, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat.

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the oil in a pan. Add the strips of pepper and fry until they start to soften. Remove and reserve for garnish. Fry the chicken and rabbit at medium heat until golden brown, adding more oil, as necessary. Add the paprika half way through to add color to meat. Push the meat out to the edges of the pan and add the beans and tomatoes in the center, mixing them well. Add 1/2 the water making sure to cover the pan until it is 1/2 full. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes until most of the water has evaporated. Add the snails and cook for 5 or 10 minutes.
• Add the rice, distributing it evenly over the pan and fry for a few minutes, moving it around in the pan. Add the rest of the water and cook for about 20 minutes. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add a pinch of saffron for colour. Once this is done the paella should not be stirred anymore.
• For the last 1 to 2 minutes increase the heat to medium-high, until the bottom layer of rice starts to caramelize, creating what Valencians call the "socarrat". If the rice starts to burn remove the pan from the heat immediately.
• Garnish the paella with the strips of red pepper and the sprigs of rosemary. Cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.